KMA Boss outlines vision for Kumasi...with programme for decongestion of city still on drawing board
THE KUMASI Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is to draw up a comprehensive programme for the discussion of all stakeholders, to ensure a successful implementation of a proposed decongestion exercise in the metropolis.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Samuel Sarpong, disclosed in his maiden sessional address at the General Assembly meeting yesterday, saying that the exercise was intended to clear the pavements and walkways of unauthorised structures, to maintain sanity in the Central Business District.
Mr. Sarpong, who sees decongestion of the Central Business District (CBD) of Adum in Kumasi as an indispensable exercise, said it was a big challenge, but has to be executed.
According to him, he hoped to achieve this objective by meeting with all stakeholders, including market queens, to educate and sensitise their members on the need for the exercise.
Mr. Sarpong, who says his vision is to improve the quality of life of residents of the metropolis, also said the assembly would replicate the paid parking project, which started three years ago, to effectively manage traffic in the CBD of areas like Fante New Town, Roman Hill, Asafo (Neoplan Terminal Area) and K.O. for effective management of traffic in the city.
The MCE indicated that the paid parking system had been a huge success, having helped to reduce vehicular congestion and maintenance of clean environment by the management contractor, as well as using the accrued revenue for the provision of streetlights in the CBD.
Mr. Sarpong disclosed that over the three-year period the project had been in operation, a total revenue of GH¢1,305,812.86 was accumulated.
He said the KMA was going to get tough on recalcitrant drivers who refused to pay for parking on the street parking lots, saying the defaulting drivers would be prosecuted.
Touching on sanitation and waste management, Mr. Sarpong said the KMA was compiling procurement document for submission to the World Bank for a review, in order to access a budgetary allocation of $1.0 million for the payment of declining subsidy.
According to the MCE, the Sub Metro- Councils would be made functional this year to facilitate good governance and smooth administration, for which Urvan buses are to be purchased for all ten Sub-Metro Councils.
The new KMA boss was, however, unhappy with the declining rate of revenue mobilisation, which he said, had declined over the years, and attributed it to weakness in the revenue collection mechanisms.
He pointed to inadequate database, inadequate monitoring mechanisms, weak collection practices, and enforcement mechanisms.
According to him, the KMA was indebted to various contractors in the sum of GH¢284,621.88
To improve on the revenue base of the assembly, Mr. Sarpong said the KMA intended to correct weaknesses in the revenue collection, by enhancing database, build the capacity of revenue collectors on a regular basis, embark on regular community education programmes, and enhance the use of ICT.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sarpong has announced that all contracts, agreements, memorandum of understanding and Build Operate and Transfers, entered into on behalf of the KMA, would be reviewed, and the necessary recommendations made to the General Assembly for consideration.